FEB 20 | 8PM

Laila Biali

"It is the ultimate task given to the musician, whether as singer or instrumentalist, to create a unique signature or fingerprint that is instantly recognisable as their own. What is surprising and delightful in Laila Biali is that both as vocalist and pianist she accomplishes this with equal aplomb. She is an exciting and unique talent, and I admire her greatly."- Sting.

Award-winning Canadian Jazz pianist, vocalist and songwriter Laila Biali has toured with Suzanne Vega, Chris Botti and Paula Cole and recorded with and supported Sting. She takes the best of pop, rock and soul, informs it with her knowledge of Jazz and weaves it into her musical arrangements. Laila's music has been presented at prestigious venues spanning four continents including the North Sea Jazz Festival, Tokyo's Cotton Club, Peru's El Festival Internacional de Lima, and Carnegie Hall in New York City. Her latest studio recording Tracing Light received a JUNO nomination for "2011 Best Vocal Jazz Album of the Year" and her most recent release Live in Concert, recorded live in February 2012 in front of a gracious audience at the Glenn Gould Studio in Toronto, Canada, captures the spirit of live performance so essential to Jazz. Live in Concert was in rotation at 73 radio stations in North America. Laila is also a member of the all female New York based neo-Classical crossover quartet Rose & the Nightingale whose members tour with Grammy award-winner Esperanza Spalding. Her accolades include "SOCAN Composer of the Year" and "Keyboardist of the Year" at Canada's National Jazz Awards. She currently splits her time between New York City and Toronto.

ZACH BROCK

One of the most virtuosic and emotive voices of contemporary jazz violin, Zach Brock has followed a path which embraces not only jazz, but also classical, world, and popular music. From critical acclaim as a bandleader to collaborations with Stanley Clarke, Snarky Puppy, and Phil Markowitz, Zach has been heralded as “the pre-eminent improvising violinist of his generation.” The Chicago Tribune recognized Zach’s recording “Almost Never Was” as one of the top ten jazz recordings of 2012 and Downbeat Magazine’s 61st Annual Critics Poll named Zach it’s “Rising Star” Violinist of 2013. In addition to recording and touring as both a leader and sideman, Zach teaches for The New School in New York City and is currently an “Artist In Residence” at Temple University in Philadelphia.
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